Pipe cleaning device



June 30, 1931. P. DAHLEN PIPE CLEANING DEVICE 4 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1929 INVENTOR.

PETER- DAHLEN', BY BMW A TTORNEY.

June 30, 1931. p. DAHLEN 1,812,200

PIPE CLEANING DEVICE Filed Aug. 30, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m n 9; K

! ll 1'" I (I L L! a g g INVENTOR. PETER DAHLEN,

WWW

A TTORNE Y.

June 30, 1931. P. DAHLEN PIPE CLEANING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 30. 1929 M w NL T A D. fi fi WW M. W 2 w 3 Z 0, 9 5 e w, o r 7 0 M f I j 4 a w 6 M w M m w w 4. W 7 7 n a Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE ram DAELEN, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

PIPE CLEANING DEVICE Application filed August 30, 1929. Serial No. 389,578.

- pipe juice and nicotine which have dried and accumulated in the pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character which is of simple construction, and convenient in use, and reliable in operation.

In the accompanying drawings, formin a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pipe cleaner embodying my invention, parts in central vertical section,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a modified form of pipe cleaner embodying the invention, parts in central vertical section,

Figure 5 is an edge elevation of the same,

Figure 6 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on line 88 of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 9..9 of Figure 7,

Figure 10 is a plan view of the control element,

4 Figure 11 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 12 is a transverse vertical section through the collecting receptacle, and,

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit and resistance elements.

Attention being called first to Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, the numeral 10 designates a boiler or casing for holding water. This casing has a bottom 11 provided with a screwthreaded opening 12, for receiving the screwthreaded portion 13 of an electrical heater 14. This electrical heater is connected with wires 15, leading to a plug 16, adapted to coto the source of. current as is obvious. The boiler 10 may be supported by rollers 17, as shown. The upper end of the boiler is preferably tapered and is provided in its upper portion with a pressure relief valve 18.

The boiler or casing 10 is provided in its top with an internally screw-threaded coupling or ring 19, preferably formed integral therewith, for receiving a co-actin exteriorly screw-threaded cou ling 20, wit a gasket 21 disposed between the coupling 19 and the flange 22 carried by the coupling 20. The coupling 20 is provided with a vertical upstanding tube 23, having a main longitudinal port 24, passing through the tube 23 and thecoupling 20, and the port 24 discharges at its bottom into a conical valve seat 25,

adapted to be engaged by a ball valve 26. At

its top, the ort 24 leads into a contracted outlet port 2 as shown. The ball valve 26 is rotatably mounted upon a transverse pin 28 and this pin is carried by the lower ends of rods 29, fitting snugly within ports or openings 30 to form a gas-tight joint with the same, but slidable within the ports. At their upper ends, the rods 29 are connected with an actuating plate 31, and coiled springs 32 are disposed between the plate 31 and the flange 22, and surround the rods 29, as shown. The actuating plate 31 is provided upon its upper face with a recess for receiving a gasket 33, preferably formed of felt or the like, and adapted to form a gas-tight joint with the mouth of the pipe. The actuating plate has a central opening to slidably receive the tube 23.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

The springs 32 normally hold the actuating plate 31 elevated and the ball valve 26 is accordingly held seated. When the plug 16 is connected with a wire leading to a source of current of electrical heater 14 is set into action and the water within the boiler 10 is heated and caused to boil, the safety valve 18 preventing excem pressure. Steam is accordingly generated within the boiler 10, and the operator then places the pipe with the mouth of the bowl resting. upon the gasket act with a plug carried by a wire leading 33, and forces the pipe downwardly, carryo ing the actuating plate 31 downwardly. This movement of the actuating plate unseats the valve 26 and steam under suitable pressure passes through the port 27 and is sprayed into the bowl of the pipe and passes outwardly through the stem of the pipe. The steam not only removes the particles of tobacco and tobacco juices present in the pipe and stem but dissolves and removes the dried pipe juices and the nicotine, all of which are blown from the pipe through the stem.

In Figures 4 to 13, inclusive, I have shown a modified form of the invention; This pipe cleaning device is designed principally for commercial use to be placed in stores, or other public places and is coin controlled. In this form of the invention, the numeral 34 designates a pedestal, which is hollow, and porvided at its top with a housing 35. Arranged within the upper portion of the pedestal 34 is a steam boiler 36, supported by brackets 37. This boiler is adapted to hold water and an electrical heater 36' is arranged within the lower portion of the boiler. The construction of the heating elements of the electrical heater will be described later. The boiler 36 is equipped with a safety valve 38.

As more clearly shown in Figure 7, a steam outlet pipe 39 leads into the topof the boiler 36 and is connected with a tubular coupling 40, having screw-threaded engagement with a co-acting coupling 41, having a flange 42. The coupling 41 is provided with an upstanding vertical tube 42, Figure 8, having a contracted outlet port 43, leading into a main port 44, having its lower end in communication with a conical valve seat 45. This valve seat is adapted to be engaged by a ball valve 46, pivoted upon a pin 47 carried by rods 48, slidably within ports 49, and fitting snugly therein for providing a gas-tight joint. The upper ends of the rods 48- are attached to an actuating plate 50, having a depending annular flange 51. A gasket 52, of felt or the like, is mounted upon the actuating plate 50. The actuating plate 50 is normally heldelevated by compressible coil springs 53. It is thus seen that when the pipe has its bowl placed upon the gasket 52 and depressed, the actuating plate 50 will descend, unseating the valve 46, allowing the steam to escape through the port 43 into the bowl of the pipe, to clean the same, as explained in connection with the first form of the invention.

Coin controlled means are provided to control the downward movement of the actuating plate 50.

The coin controlled means embodies a preferably horizontally arranged tube 54, which is preferably cylindrical, and has an upper coin inlet slot 55 and a lower coin outlet slot 56, discharging into a collecting receptacle 57. The slot 55 is in communication with a coin inlet slot 58, as shown. Spring rods 54' are arranged to engage behind the coin 67 extension 60, is a slide 64, provided upon its rear end with a tubular extension 65, to receive reduced extensions 66. When a coin 67 is fed through the slot 55, it drops between the plunger extension and the tubular slide extension 65, and when the plunger 61 is forced forwardly, the slide 64 is moved forwardly. In the absence of the coin, the plunger extension 60 will enter the tubular extension 65, and the slide will not move forwardly. The slide 64 is connected with a rod 66,

slidable through an opening 67', and a compressible coil spring 68 surrounds the rod 66, and moves the plunger 64 rearwardly. A vertical connecting arm 69 is rigidly attached to the rod 66 and is connected with a slidable control element 70, which is mounted upon the flange 42. This control element has a large central opening 71, through which the rods 48 and associated elements pass. The control element, Figures 8, 10 and 11, is .provided with raised lugs 72, having horizontal top faces 73, and inclined ends 74. When the control element 70 is in the rear position, Figure 7, the flange 51 rests upon the horizontal faces 73 and hence the actuating ele ment 50 is locked against downward movement. When the control element 70 is forced forwardly, the-flange 51 clears the faces 73 and may be brought into engagement with the top surface 75 of the control element, and hence the downwardly movement of the actuating plate 50 is permitted, to unseat the valve 46. The numeral 76 designates a locklever, pivoted at 77 and having a downwardly bent pawl or end 78, to engage behind the slide 64. when the slide is shifted forwardly. The lock-lever has its rear end swung downwardly by means of a compressible coil spring 79. The lever 76 is provided at its rear end with an upwardly extending release projection 80, operating through a slot 81 in the control element 70. The projection is adapted to be arranged in the path of travel of the flange 51.

The numeral 82 designates a collecting receptacle, having a cap 83, which is. removable. This receptacle is provided with a slide 84, attached to its bottom, mounted upon a horizontal rail 85. The rail 85 is vertically adjustable and is carried by a vertical arm 86 rigidly secured thereto, mounted within a stationary guide 87, adapted to be clamped therein by a set screw 88, or the like. The re ceptacle 82 is provided upon its rear side with an inwardly bent annular flange 89, surrounding a stem receiving opening 90, and a ring 91 is inserted within the flange 89 and 1 holds an annular rubber gasket 92, to have a close fit with the stem of the pipe. Dis osed opposite the opening 90 is an open rame 93, for holding absorbent cotton 94, or the like, and this open frame is rigidly attached to the wall of the receptacle 82, as shown. The numeral 95 designates a cup formed upon the top of the cover 83 and having a fine wire mesh bottom 96. This cup is adapted to hold a deodorant powder.

The electrical heater embodies heating or resistance elements 97, 98, 99 and 100. The resistance element 97 is connected at one end with a wire 101, and at its opposite end with a wire 102. A wire 103 is connected with one end of the resistance element 100, the opposite end of which is connected with a wire 104. The opposite end of the resistance element 99 is connected with a wire 105, which is connected with one end of the resistance element 98, the opposite end of which is connected with a wire 106, connected with the wire 101.

The numeral 107 designates a vertically reciprocatory switch element formed of insulating material and carrying a metallic contact 108, connected with a wire 109, preferably equipped with a switch 110. The wires 102 and 109 lead to the opposite poles of the source of current. When the switch element is in the raised position, contact 108 will engage between a pair of contacts 111, connected with the wire 101, and when the switch element is depressed, contact 108 will engage between a pair of contacts 112, connected with the wire 103. The switch element 107 is held elevated by a spring 107. The switch element 107 is provided with an upstanding end 114, arranged in the path of travel of an extension 108 of the flange 51, Figure 8.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

The switch 110 is manually closed and a circuit will be closed whereby current will flow to cause the resistance element 97 to continuously operate, thus keeping "the water heated to a suitable extent, at all times. When the device is not being used to clean pipes, it is desired that the water be kept heated to a certain extent so that steam may be quickly generated when a coin is inserted in the machine. The actuating plate 50 is elevated when the machine is not in use, and hence contact'108 engages between and with contacts 111. The current flows from one. pole of the source of current through wire 102, resistance element 97, wire 101, contacts 111, contact 108, and through wire 109, back to the opposite pole of the sourceof current. Hence, the resistance element 97 remains in operation while the resistance elements 98, 99 and 100 are not in operation. When the actuating plate 50 is depressed as will be described, contact 108 en ages between and with contacts 112, and a circuit is then closed for supplying sistanee element 98, wire 105, resistance elev ment 99, wire 104, resistance element 100, wire 103, contacts 112, contact 108, and wire 109, back to the opposite pole of the source of current. Hence, increased heat is applied to water within the boiler and steam is quickly generated.

The operator inserts a coin 67 into the chute 58 and the coin passes through the chute 55 into the cylinder 54, in advance of the plunger extension 60. The plunger 61 is now forced forwardly and the coin carries the slide 64 forwardly, until the downwardly bent end 78 of the lock-lever 76 engages behind-the rear end of the slide 64. The slide is now locked in the forward position, and the plunger 61 is released and the spring 63 will force the plunger rearwardly, the coin gravitating through the slot 56 into the receptacle 57. The control element has now been shifted to the forward position, so that the horizontal faces 73 of the elevated lugs 72 are out of the path of travel of the flange 51. actuating plate 50 may now be depressed. The pipe has its stem inserted through the opening in the collecting receptacle 82 and the bowl of the pipe has its mouth placed upon the gasket 52. Downward pressure is now exerted upon the bowl of the pipe, forcing the actuating plate 50 downwardly and causing its flange to engage with the top face -of the control element 70. When the actuating plate is depressed, flange 51 engages releasing extension and swings the forward end of-the lock-lever 76 upwardly, whereby the depending end 78 is moved out of the path of travel of the slide 64. The slide 64 is now free to be shifted Iearwardly by the spring 68, but is held against such return movement by the control element 70, since the inclined shoulders 74 engage with the flange 51 of the actuating plate 50 and prevent sliding movement of such control element. The control element remains in the forward position as long as pressure is held upon the pipe. lVhen the plate 50 is depressed, flange 51 moves extension 108 into contact with part 114 of switch 107, lowering the same to close the circuit, to cause all of the resistance elements to operate. The downward movement of the actuating plate 50 unseats the valve 46 and steam under suitable pressure is supplied through the port 43 of the tube 42 and enters the bowl of the pipe passing through the same and the stem of the pipe. The pipe is thoroughly cleaned and the material is discharged from the stem of the pipe into the collecting receptacle 82. The liquid or solid particles are projected upon the absorbent cotton 94 The - thespring 68 upon the slide 64. The flange 51 1s again positioned upon the horizontal faces 73 of the elevation lugs 72 and the actuating plate is locked in the elevated position against depression, until a coin is again inserted within the slot.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shown and described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subj oined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A tobacco pipe cleaning device comprising a boiler, an electrical heater for the same, a coupling connected with the boiler and having an outwardly projecting stationary tube and avalve seat at the intake end of the bore of the tube, said coupling having openings formed therein, a valve to engage the valve seat, rods slidable within the openings and connected with the valve, an actuating plate arranged adjacent to the tube and connected with the rods the arrangement being such that the outlet end of the tube projects above the actuating plate when the actuating plate is depressed by engagement with the bowl of the pipe, and springs surrounding the rods to oppose the downward movement of the actuating plate.

2. A tobacco pipe cleaning device, comprising a boiler, means to heat the boiler, an outlet tube extending outwardly beyond the boiler and in communication with the interior thereof, a valve to control the passage of steam through the outlet tube, an actuating plate having an opening to slidably receive the tube with the tube projecting outwardly beyond the actuating plate, the actuating plate being adapted to receive thereon, the bowl of the pipe with the tube projecting into said bowl, means connecting the actuating plate and valve, and resilient means to oppose the depression of the actuating plate.

3. A tobacco pipe cleaning device comprising a boiler, means to heat the boiler, steam outlet means connected with the boiler and including a valve, an actuating plate connected with the valve and adapted to unseat the same when depressed,-a slidable control element arranged beneath the actuating plate and having raised lugs to engage therewith to prevent thedepression of the actuating plate, and means to shift the control element to bring the elevated lugs out of the path of travel of the actuating plate.

4. In a tobacco pipe cleaning device, comprising a boiler, means to heat the boiler, steam outlet means connected with the boiler and including a valve, an actuating plate connectedwith the valve and adapted to be depressed to unseat the valve, a reciprocatory control element arranged beneath the actuating plate and having raised lugs adapted to prevent the depression of the actuating plate when disposed in the path of travel of the same, resilient means to normally hold the control element in the starting position so that the elevated lugs are arranged in the path of travel of the actuating'plate, and

means to shift the control element from the starting position so that the elevated lugs are brought out of the path of travel of the actuating plate.

5. A tobacco pipe cleaning device, comprising a boiler, steam outlet means connected therewith including a valve, an actuating plate connected with the valve and adapted to unseat the same when it is depressed, a control element arranged beneath the actuating plate and having elevated lugs arranged in, the path of travel of the actuating plate when the control element is in the starting position, a reciprocatory element connected with the control element, yielding means to hold the reciprocatory element in the starting position, means to move the reciprocatory element from the starting position to a set position, and a lock device to engage with the reciprocatory element when it is shifted to the set position, said lock device having a part engaged by the actuating plate when said actuating plate is depressed.

6. A tobacco pipe cleaning device comprising a boiler, means to heat the boiler, steam outlet means connected with the boiler including a valve, an actuating plate connected with the valve and adapted to unseat the valve when it is depressed, a slidable control element arranged beneath the actuating plate and having raised lugs disposed in the path of travel of the actuating plate when the actuating plate is in the starting position, said control lugs having inclined walls adapted .for' engagement with the actuating plate,

spring means tending to shift the control element to the starting position, and means to shift the control element from the starting position in opposition to the spring means.

7 A tobacco pipe cleaning device comprising a boiler, means to heat the boiler, steam outlet means connected with the boiler including a valve, an actuating plate connected with the valve and adapted to unseat the valve when it is depressed, a slidable control element arranged beneath the actuating plate and having raised lugs disposed in the path of travel of the actuating plate when the actuating plate is in the starting position, said control lugs having inclined walls adapt-- ed for engagement with the actuating plate, spring means tending to shift the control element to the starting position, and coin control means to shift the control element from the starting position.

8. A tobacco pipe cleaning device, a boiler, means to heat the boiler, steam outlet means connected with the boiler, a collecting receptacle arranged near the steam outlet means, a tubular element carried by the receptacle and embodying a gasket, the tubular element being adapted to receive the end of the stem of the pipe, means arranged within the receptacle opposite the tubular element for holding absorbent material, and a cup carried by the top of the receptacle for holding a powdered deodorant and having a foraminous bottom.-

9. A tobacco pipe cleaning device comprising a boiler, a tube arranged exteriorl of the boiler and having the intake end 0 its bore in communication with the interior of the boiler, a movable valve to cover and uncover said bore, an actuating plate having an opening to receive the tube and adapted to be depressed by engagement with the bowl of a pipe, the arrangement being such that the tubeprojects outwardly beyond the actuating plate when the actuating plate is depressed so that the outlet end of the tube enters the bowl of the pipe, and connecting means between the actuating plate and the movable valve so that the valve is shifted to the open position when the actuating plate is depressed.

10. A tobacco pipe cleaning device, comprising a boiler, a coupling connected with the boiler and having an outwardly projecting tube provided, with an outer outlet, said coupling and tube having a common bore, said coupling having a valve seat surrounding the inner end of said bore, a valve arranged inwardly of the coupling and adapted to engage the valve seat, an actuating plate having an opening to slidably receive the tube and adapted to be engaged by the bowl of the pipe to be depressed thereby, the arrangement being such that when the actuating plate is depressed the tube projects outwardly, beyond the same for insertion within the bowl of the pipe, means connecting the actuating plate and valve so that the valve is unseated when the actuating plate is depressed, and resilient means to normallyhold the actuating plate elevated.

-11. A tobacco pipe'cleaning device comprising a receptacle for holding a fluid under pressure, a tube having its intake end adapted for communication with the interior of the receptacle and its outlet end arranged exteriorly of the receptacle, a movable valve arranged remote from the outlet end of the tube and adapted to control the passage of fluid through the tube, an actuating element arranged near the outlet end of the tube and movable longitudinally thereof and adapted to be engaged by the bowl of the pipe to be depressed by the same, the arrangement be ingsuch that the outlet end of the tube projects outwardly beyond the actuating element when the actuating element is depressed, operating means between the actuating element and movable valve and resilient means to oppose the depression of the actuating element.

12. A tobacco pipe cleaning device, comprising a receptacle to hold a fluid under pressure, a relatively stationary tube having its intake end in communication with the receptacle, an actuating element arranged near the outlet end of the tube and movable longitudinally of the tube and adapted for engagement with the bowl of the pipe to be depressed by the same, the arrangement being such that the tube projects outwardly beyond the actuating element to enter the bowl vof the pipe when the actuating element is depressed, a movable valve to control the passage of the fluid through the tube, operating connecting means between the actuating element and valve, and a movable control member for co-action with the actuating element for holding the same against depression when the control member is in one position and to permit of the depression of the actuating element when the control member is shifted to another position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

PETER DAHLEN. 

